LaFontaine buys Ralph Thayer group, adds 3 Michigan stores

LaFontaine Automotive Group said it has purchased Ralph Thayer Automotive's three stores, all of which are in the Detroit suburb of Livonia.

LaFontaine, of Highland, Mich., adds the Hyundai, Mazda and Volkswagen dealerships after the transaction closed Thursday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The stores have been renamed LaFontaine Hyundai of Livonia, LaFontaine Mazda of Livonia and LaFontaine Volkswagen of Livonia.

"We are excited to welcome the employees and customers of Ralph Thayer Automotive into our LaFontaine family," CEO Ryan LaFontaine said in a statement. "This strategic acquisition further strengthens our ability to serve customers in the greater Metro Detroit area –- for sales, service, body shop and parts."

The family-owned and operated Ralph Thayer group dates to 1971.

LaFontaine ranks No. 43 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., retailing 19,565 new vehicles in 2020.

LaFontaine, founded in 1980, has 25 Michigan locations, 44 franchises and six collision centers. It employs more than 1,800 people.

Last fall, LaFontaine added Shuman Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Walled Lake and Delehanty Ford in Flushing. Both stores are in Michigan.

Dealer Solutions Mergers and Acquisitions, a buy-sell firm based in Markham, Ontario, and with a U.S. office in Jupiter, Fla., represented LaFontaine in the transaction.